"A 10-Year-Old Toyota Corolla With 125,000 Miles Or More Will Become The Most Sought After Vehicle" - The Top 10 Cheapest Cars To Buy & Maintain According To a 2025 Reliability Study

Recent news from the Financial Markets has been warning us that we are headed for a deep recession and that even though the present picture looks grim, it is not too late to prepare.

One way is to plan for your next car, keeping an eye on the models that are the cheapest to buy and maintain.

On average, the cost of owning and maintaining a new car is $4,200, and its estimated lifespan is 11 years. However, some models are above average.

That is the point of this article―To point you toward those above-average models in case of a prolonged recession.

Plan Ahead for Major Expenses

According to a recent USA Today news story titled "Are we going into a recession? Why it's not too late to prepare," we should be concerned whether we are in the top 1% or a cash-poor consumer.

However, if a recession does hit and lasts for the next several years, preparedness can pay off.

One of the preparedness steps the article outlines is that of planning for major expenses like shopping for a new or used car:

Now is not necessarily the time to cancel your European vacation.

'That would be, to my mind, an overreaction,' says Meir Statman, a finance professor at Santa Clara University…People need to live. People need to have fun.'

The article points out that although canceling the idea of a summer vacation right now might be an overreaction, that still, "…it might still be a good idea to plan for that vacation or any large, unexpected expense. Set aside money now so you don't drain your savings when the expense arrives."

You have to be thinking, 'Am I going to need a new car in the next few years? Do I have the cash set aside for that car?'" said Timothy McGrath, a certified financial planner in Chicago

What Happens to Making-Ends-Meet Consumers During a Recession

From a recent Car Help Corner YouTube channel episode about car models that are the cheapest to buy and maintain, one comment stands out as a reality check on what happens to cash-strapped car owners:

The comment continues with a reality check of what happens when a recession hits: It forces consumers to prioritize the essentials of living—like housing, groceries, utilities, and health care—while cutting back on anything seen as extra.

In tough economic times, people downsize and declutter. Anything that isn't a daily necessity or creates a financial burden becomes a target to sell, trade, or let go.

Stuff People Will Sell or Abandon During a Recession

The comment points out that the stuff people tend to sell during a recession includes high-cost or large recreational items that are considered non-essential:

1. Boats & Jet Skis

• High maintenance and storage costs ―Often the first toys to go in a recession financial crunch.

2. ATVs, Dirt Bikes, Snowmobiles

• Seasonal use and expensive upkeep.
• Sold to free up cash for food or storage space

3. Motorcycles

• Those that are owned for recreation rather than commuting.

4. RVs & Campers

• Large monthly payments or storage fees make them immediately expendable and virtually unsellable.

5. High-End Electronics

• Gaming systems, drones, VR headsets, and premium sound systems may be sold secondhand or at pawn shops for quick cash needed for survival.

The Best Anti-Recession Car Models Today

Whether planning on buying a new or used car for the near uncertain future (or keeping the one you have today that is already paid off) is a necessity, you can choose models considered to be anti-recession models.

To help car shopping consumers identify those models that make sense today, here is a summary of the ones recommended on the Car Help Corner Channel.

These cars will be the cheapest to own, maintain, and insure over five years, according to the 2025 iSeeCars 10-year reliability study.

Even though most new cars tend to be depreciating money pits that drain your bank account, there are a handful of models that break the trend and are actually incredibly smart buys that save you money.

In numerically decreasing order from the best to the best of the best, the picks are:

#10. Toyota Prius: Average total ownership cost of only $2,650 per year with an average lifespan of 13 years.

#9. KIA Soul: Average total ownership cost of only $2,427 per year with an average lifespan of 10 years.

#8. Toyota Rav4: Average total ownership cost of only $2,411 per year with an average lifespan of 14.5 years.

#7. Honda CRV: Average total ownership cost of only $2,400 per year with an average lifespan of 15 years.

#6. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (aka RVR): Average total ownership cost of only $2,400 per year with an average lifespan of 12 years.

#5. Subaru Impreza: Average total ownership cost of only $2,400 per year with an average lifespan of 11 years.

#4. Honda Accord: Average total ownership cost of only $2,340 per year with an average lifespan of 13 years.

#3. Mazda 3: Average total ownership cost of only $2,260 per year with an average lifespan of 14 years.

#2. Toyota Corolla: Average total ownership cost of only $2,166 per year with an average lifespan of 12 years.

#1. Honda Civic: Average total ownership cost of only $2,000 per year with an average lifespan of 14 years.

The Honorable Mention List

Although they did not make the top 10, these are still honorable mentions that are incredibly affordable to own with very low annual ownership costs.

These models include:

1. Toyota Camry Hybrid
2. Toyota Highlander
3. Lexus RX 350
4. Toyota Tacoma
5. Toyota Tundra

For additional articles related to smart car shopping, here are two for your consideration:

1. I'm a first time car buyer, and I ended up walking away with a 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross. I love the car, but when I was talking to my friends about it, they all have that painful look on their face. Did I get robbed?
2. Is It Too Late to Order Your Made-in-Japan Toyota? Protect Yourself Before the Tariff Hits Toyota Shoppers

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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